Sony Xperia ZL C6503: Update to Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean Official Firmware 10.3.1.A.0.244

John Clarkson July 31, 2013 How To, Sony, Xperia ZL

After the official Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean firmware 10.3.A.0.423 update being rolled out to Sony Xperia ZL, we are still waiting for the incoming Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. It has been confirmed by Sony that Xperia ZL is one of the devices to receive Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update along with other Xperia devices such as Xperia Z Ultra, Xperia SP. Nevertheless, Sony does release another official firmware (10.3.1.A.0.244) update for Sony Xperia ZL C6503 today but not to surprised that it is not Android 4.3. According to Xperiaguide, 10.3.1.A.0.244 firmware update is confirmed in India, Sweden, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Poland.

This 10.3.1.A.0.244 firmware update is 700MB+ in size and it is just a patch update of Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean firmware. Sony have patched the perf_event exploit in the newer kernel. For those who have rooted their Xperia ZL on 10.3.1.A.0.244 using our previous guide, you are not recommended to flash 10.3.1.A.0.244 ftf file directly using Sony Flashtool as your device’s root access will be lose. OTA Root Keeper shall be used before flashing this new firmware.

10.3.1.A.0.244 is an official Jelly Bean firmware release by Sony Mobile, you can either choose to update it via OTA, Sony PC Companion/Sony Bridge or manual update if you can’t wait any longer. In this entry, we will cover all these 3 methods. You do not need to erase your phone data with upgrade above. However, it is recommended to do a factory reset on your devices if you found errors, force close, or application compatibility issue after upgrade. In worst case, you are still able to revert your device firmware back to previous firmware version.

Sony Xperia ZL is equipped with 1.5GHz quad core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor with GPU Adreno 320. It has 2GB RAM and internal 16GB internal storage, an additional 64GB SD card slot. Sony Xperia ZL has a 5 inch TFT Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) display with 441 ppi pixel density. It has also a removable battery with NFC. Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean is the stock operating system firmware out of the box, pre-installed with Sony Mobile Battery Saving Mode.

How To Update Sony Xperia ZL to Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean Official Firmware

We have total 3 ways to update your devices officially. They are update via OTA (Over-The-Air), update via Sony PC Companion for Windows/Sony Bridge for Mac and manual update via Sony Flash Tool. Update via OTA and Samsung Kies are the easiest ways for update yet you have to wait the release from Samsung (It could takes up to a month of waiting). Manual update with Odin is the fastest way to get latest update yet need some additional manual installation steps. We will cover all 3 update methods in our tutorial.

Disclaimer: It’s always a risk to modify your device. We, Android Teen are not responsible for any damage or bricks on your device. Your device warranty may void with any mod. Check your devices warranty’s term & conditions before start.(HTC,Samsung,LG, Sony, Motorola). Use this guide on your own risk, contact us for help if you face problem.

Pre-requisites & Requirements

  1. Sony Xperia ZL C6503 (Ensure correct device model and firmware;Check device model – Go to Settings -> About Device -> Model Number)
  2. Windows-based computer or laptop
  3. Download Sony Xperia ZL USB driver for Windows and install in your computer. Connect device to computer with USB cable to complete installation. Skip this step if you have installed the USB driver.
  4. Enable USB Debugging on your device. How to Enable USB Debugging Mode on Android Devices.
  5. Make sure your phone is charged to 60% 80% to avoid battery blackout and interruption during this tutorial.
  6. We recommend you make a backup on your data and media files before the tutorial. You may restore the data and files if necessary.

Reminder: Firmware upgrade should not delete your device data yet you may experience inconsistent performance after upgrade. Optionally, we recommend you to make a backup and do a clean upgrade. Ensure you meet the requirements before proceed. Contact us if you face problem.

Choose Your Update Methods:

Instructions: How To Update Sony Xperia ZL to Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean via OTA

  1. Ensure you have stable internet connection (Wifi or data network) on your devices.
  2. Power up your device, go to android apps drawer, select Settings.
  3. Under Settings menu, select About phone under System.
  4. Select Software update under About phone.
  5. You should see an update available, press OK to download and install. (Caution: Download with 3G will incur additional charges to your phone bill!)
  6. Your device will reboot automatically and complete installation.
  7. If you see “The latest updates have already been installed”, you have to wait for Samsung to release the OTA update.
  8. Check out manual updates which give you the fastest and latest firmware update.

Instructions: How To Update Sony Xperia ZL to Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean via Sony Companion / Bridge

  1. Ensure you have stable internet connection on your computer.
  2. Download and install Sony Companion for Windows / Sony Bridge for Mac on your computer.
  3. Power up your device and connect it to computer with USB cable.
  4. Open up Sony Companion / Sony Bridge on your computer.
  5. Wait for Sony Companion / Sony Bridge to detect your device.
  6. You should able to see New Firmware Upgrade is available at the home of Sony Companion / Sony Bridge .
  7. Press on Firmware Upgrade button to proceed.
  8. Check the box to agree all the T&C about the upgrade and Press Start Upgrade to proceed.
  9. Wait download and installation to run. Do not disconnect your device at this moment.
  10. You should see your device running upgrade and reboot automatically.
  11. Upgrade is complete. (Check device firmware – Go to Settings –> About Phone–> Android & Baseband version)
  12. If you see “Your phone/tablet is up to date” in Sony Companion / Sony Bridge, you have to wait for Sony Mobile to release the update via Sony Companion / Sony Bridge.
  13. Check out manual updates which give you the fastest and latest firmware update.

Instructions: How To Manual Update Sony Xperia ZL to Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean via Sony Flash Tool (Non Rooted)

If both OTA and Sony Companion / Sony Bridge updates do not work for you, follow tutorial below to manual update your device with Sony Flash Tool.

Download:

  1. (Xperia ZL (C6503)_10.3.1.A.0.244_Generic DE.ftf | 755 MB) – Source
  2. Sony Flashtool (flashtool-0.9.11.0-windows.exe | 112.77MB)

Instructions:

  1. Download Sony flashtool into your computer. Double click on the flashtool.exe file to install. You should see a flashtool folder in C Drive.
  2. Double click on flashtool icon in the folder mentioned in Step 1 to launch flashtool (either is FlashTool or FlashTool64.exe)
  3. For first timer, navigate to C:\Flashtool\drivers folder to install “Flashtool-drivers”. Select and check the box of your device model and Flashmode Drivers.
  4. While your device is powered on, connect your device to computer with USB cable. Make sure all drivers are installed properly before start.
  5. Download *.ftf (Be careful to use the correct firmware on different models) and copy to C:\flashtool\firmwares folder in computer.
  6. On the flashtool, click on the lightning icon and click flashmode, then “ok”.
  7. You should see a new windows.
  8. At the right sidebar, check “Data, Cache, Appslog” boxes if you wish to wipe the device before flash. To remain your device data, uncheck all the boxes.
  9. At source folder, browse and choose “*.ftf ” in the flashtool/firmwares. *.ftf. 
  10. Press flash button to start flashing.
  11. Follow the prompt instructions.
  12. First, to unplug your device from PC.
  13. Second, power off your device.
  14. Third, enter to Flash Mode on your device by press and hold Volume Down button while connect your device with USB cable to computer.
  15. Forth, connect your device back to computer with USB cable. The screen display will still remain blank in dark.
  16. Monitor the Flashtool in computer. It should continue to run and flash the *.ftf.
  17. Wait until the flash process to complete. You should see “Flashing finished” from the flashtool.
  18. Power on your device and you shall now with new firmware.
  19. Check device firmware to ensure you have properly installed 10.3.1.A.0.244 firmware – Go to Settings –> About Phone–> Android & Baseband version.

Instructions: How To Manual Update Sony Xperia ZL to Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean via Sony Flash Tool (Rooted)

If both OTA and Sony Companion / Sony Bridge updates do not work for you, follow tutorial below to manual update your device with Sony Flash Tool.

Download:

  1. (Xperia ZL (C6503)_10.3.1.A.0.244_Generic DE.ftf | 755 MB) – Source
  2. Sony Flashtool (flashtool-0.9.11.0-windows.exe | 112.77MB)

Instructions:

  1. On your device, download from Google Play Store.
  2. Start OTA Root Keeper on your device. Click on the Protect root then followed by Temp. un-root.
  3. Now, you are safe to flash 10.3.1.A.0.244 firmware update on your device.
  4. Download Sony flashtool into your computer. Double click on the flashtool.exe file to install. You should see a flashtool folder in C Drive.
  5. Double click on flashtool icon in the folder mentioned in Step 1 to launch flashtool (either is FlashTool or FlashTool64.exe)
  6. For first timer, navigate to C:\Flashtool\drivers folder to install “Flashtool-drivers”. Select and check the box of your device model and Flashmode Drivers.
  7. While your device is powered on, connect your device to computer with USB cable. Make sure all drivers are installed properly before start.
  8. Download *.ftf (Be careful to use the correct firmware on different models) and copy to C:\flashtool\firmwares folder in computer.
  9. On the flashtool, click on the lightning icon and click flashmode, then “ok”.
  10. You should see a new windows.
  11. At the right sidebar, check “Data, Cache, Appslog” boxes if you wish to wipe the device before flash. To remain your device data, uncheck all the boxes.
  12. At source folder, browse and choose “*.ftf ” in the flashtool/firmwares. *.ftf. 
  13. Press flash button to start flashing.
  14. Follow the prompt instructions.
  15. First, to unplug your device from PC.
  16. Second, power off your device.
  17. Third, enter to Flash Mode on your device by press and hold Volume Down button while connect your device with USB cable to computer.
  18. Forth, connect your device back to computer with USB cable. The screen display will still remain blank in dark.
  19. Monitor the Flashtool in computer. It should continue to run and flash the *.ftf.
  20. Wait until the flash process to complete. You should see “Flashing finished” from the flashtool.
  21. Power on your device and you shall now with new firmware.
  22. Check device firmware to ensure you have properly installed 10.3.A.0.423 firmware – Go to Settings –> About Phone–> Android & Baseband version.
  23. Now, start OTA Root Keeper.
  24. Click on Restore Root.

us or give us a if it works for you.

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By John Clarkson
A 17 years old young tech enthusiast who loves Android and smartphone. He love to learn and share Android latest technologies to public users. He likes to play around with custom ROM flashing, customize theme, system tweaking and discussion with other developers on Android development. Now, he owns Galaxy S3, LG Optimus L5, Sony Xperia Z and pre-owned Sony Xperia P, HTC One X, LG Optimus G.